While the guidance provided by the court from the Vineyard Area Citizens v. Rancho Cordova (2007) - click here for the opinion revolves around water supply issues, the approach outlined for environmental analysis and the direction given regarding citation and incorporation of materials are applicable to a broad range of environmental topics analyzed in EIRs. Analysis related to infrastructure, utilities and services, such as transportation, wastewater, drainage and energy, can be guided by the approach described by the court.

In this case, the state Supreme Court deemed the EIR prepared for the 6,000-acre Sunrise Douglas Community Plan, which proposed over 20,000 residential units with schools and parks as well as 480 acres of office and commercial uses, and the nearer-term 2,600-acre SunRidge Specific Plan, with about 9,900 residential units and community commercial, shopping center, neighborhood schools and parks, inadequate because the EIR did not adequately evaluate long-term water sources necessary to serve the project under build-out conditions. Listed below are key elements of practically applying the Vineyard decision in regards to the approach used for the environmental analysis and technical details of environmental document preparation.